White House depicts Zelensky as ‘short-sighted’

(MENAFN) The White House has criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky as "short-sighted" for refusing to sign a deal that would grant the US access to Ukraine's mineral resources, according to the Associated Press. The deal, discussed during Zelensky's talks with US Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich Security Conference, was a key point of contention. US President Donald Trump had proposed that Ukraine provide rare earth minerals worth an estimated $500 billion in exchange for over $300 billion in aid provided to Ukraine during its conflict with Russia.

However, Zelensky has pushed back, insisting that he seeks a "mutually beneficial partnership" rather than simply giving away Ukraine's natural resources. White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes expressed disappointment, suggesting that Zelensky was missing an "excellent opportunity" offered by the Trump administration.

Zelensky stated that he had blocked Ukrainian ministers from signing the deal because it lacked security guarantees. Senior Ukrainian officials involved in the talks described the proposal as a "colonial agreement" and noted that it did not include safeguards for securing Ukraine’s mineral resources if the conflict with Russia continues. Moscow has condemned the proposal, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova arguing that it would violate Ukraine's constitution, which asserts that the country’s natural resources belong to its people.

MENAFN19022025000045015687ID1109223042